News

Martin Smyth, Mark Branch and Kieran O’Connell should all return to the squad after missing recent games and reserve team player Harry Lansdowne retains his place after impressing in the friendlies against Matlock Town, Graham St Prims and Burton Albion over the last week.

Trialist Callum Riddell is also included after scoring against Burton on Wednesday night. Assistant manager Carl Slater should also be back in the dugout after his return from holiday. O’Connell will need a check on a foot injury that’s been troubling him during preseason before his place in the squad is finalised.

Gresley Reserve team have a game at the Moat Ground and Connor Ward and Josh Garland who have featured regularly in pre-season will aim to get 90 mins match time in as will Mitch White from the U18’s squad who has also impressed in recent friendlies.

Gresley will again be without Ryan King (injured), Matt Roome (personal commitments) and Kane Jellyman (holiday) and youngster Alby Lansdowne, who has been very impressive in pre-season, is away for this game.

With the start of the Evo-Stik league season just two weeks away, Norton is looking to bring the numbers who have been involved in pre-season down and travels with 18 tomorrow to Hollinwood Lane.

Next week Norton and his back room team plan to work with the squad on the training ground ahead of the kick off with the manager deciding against replacing the cancelled friendly game on 11th Aug (v Sutton Coldfield) with another game.

The club were originally looking for a game to replace this date after Sutton decided to drop out due to the two teams being drawn against each other in the FA cup on 25th Aug.

However, Norton has planned a team building day with the squad following a morning training session instead. Explaining his decision he said: “when the lads heard Sutton had pulled out I told them we were looking to get another fixture arranged. Indeed, we had one sorted out but the lads had the idea of doing a team building day and after discussing it with them I agreed.

"We will train in the morning and then the lads have got stuff planned for the afternoon and evening aimed at bringing them closer together as a group which, considering the newness of the squad, won’t be a bad thing.”

In other news Norton confirmed that his backroom staff is now complete with experienced Physio John Newall joining the club last week which is a big boost to the club.

Finally, after Andy Abley stepped down from his duties as kit man on Wednesday, Moat Ground favourite and former kit man Matt Dingle returns to the role ahead of the new season.